The Golden Joystick Awards, also known as the People's Gaming Awards, is a video game award ceremony; it awards the best video games of the year, as voted for originally by the British general public,[1] but is now a global event that can be voted online via GamesRadar+. As of 2023[update], the ceremony was in its 41st year. It is the longest-running video game award ceremony, launched in 1983, and the second-oldest video game award ceremony after the Arcade Awards, launched in 1981.
| Golden Joystick Awards | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Awarded for | Outstanding achievements in the video game industry |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| First awarded | 1983 |
| Website | www.goldenjoystick.com |
The awards were initially focused on computer games, but were extended to include console games. The ceremony is not directly related to the golden joystick prize given away to successful contestants on GamesMaster, a British television show, but both properties belong to Future plc.
In 2021, the Golden Joystick Awards celebrated 50 Years Of Games by asking the public to vote for the Ultimate Game Of All Time, which was won by the 2011 game Dark Souls. The PC also received the Best Gaming Hardware of All Time Award, which was accepted by Valve president Gabe Newell.
Winners
1983
Awards were presented by DJ Dave Lee Travis at a ceremony in London's Berkeley Square.
| Award | Winner[2][3] | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Jetpac | Arcadia, Manic Miner, The Hobbit |
| Best Arcade-Style Game of the Year | Manic Miner | Arcadia, Penetrator, Galaga |
| Strategy Game of the Year | The Hobbit | Football Manager, Planet Invasion, Scrabble |
| Best Original Game of the Year | Ah Diddums | Ant Attack, Pssst, Splat! |
| Software House of the Year | Ultimate Play the Game | Imagine Software, Llamasoft, Melbourne House |
1984
Awards were presented by Jools Holland, at a ceremony in London.
| Award | Winner[4] | Runner-Up | Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Knight Lore | Ghostbusters | Avalon, Impossible Mission |
| Software House of the Year | Ultimate Play the Game | Beyond Software | Hewson Consultants, Mikro-Gen |
| Best Original Game of the Year | Elite | Deus Ex Machina | Ancipital, Pyjamarama |
| Best Adventure Game of the Year | Claymorgue Castle | Erik the Viking | Eureka, Tir Na Nog |
| Best Strategy Game of the Year | Lords of Midnight | Beach Head | Nato Commander, Battle for Midway |
| Best Arcade-Style Game of the Year | Daley Thompson's Decathlon | Boulderdash | Wanted: Monty Mole, Starstrike |
| Best Programmer of the Year | Ultimate Team | Mike Singleton | Tony Crowther, Acornsoft |
1985
Awards were presented by Jools Holland, at a ceremony on a Thames Riverboat.
| Award | Winner[5] | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Way of the Exploding Fist | Elite, Summer Games II |
| Software House of the Year | Melbourne House | U.S. Gold, Elite Systems, Firebird Software |
| Best Original Game of the Year | Little Computer People | Spy vs. Spy, Paradroid |
| Adventure Game of the Year | Red Moon | Gremlins, Bored of the Rings |
| Strategy Game of the Year | Theatre Europe | Shadowfire, Battle of Britain |
| Arcade-Style Game of the Year | Commando | Hyper Sports, Dropzone |
| Programmer of the Year | Stephen Crow | Jeff Minter, Andrew Braybrook, Bo Jangeborg |
1986
The ceremony took place at Cadogan Hall.
| Award | Winner[6] | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Gauntlet | Uridium, Space Harrier |
| Software House of the Year | Elite Systems | U.S. Gold, Hewson Consultants |
| Best Original Game of the Year | Sentinel | Trap Door, Trivial Pursuit |
| Adventure Game of the Year | The Pawn | Lord of the Rings, Heavy on the Magick |
| Strategy Game of the Year | Vietnam | Johnny Reb II, Silent Service |
| Arcade-Style Game of the Year | Uridium | Gauntlet, Ghosts'n Goblins |
| Programmer of the Year | Andrew Braybrook | Chris Butler, Stephen Crow |
| Best Soundtrack of the Year | Sanxion | Knucklebusters, Starglider |
1987
Awards were presented by Chris Tarrant.
| Award | Winner[7] | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Out Run | The Last Ninja, Renegade |
| Software House of the Year | U.S. Gold | Ocean Software, Elite Systems |
| Best Original Game of the Year | Nebulus | Wizball, Driller |
| Arcade Game of the Year | Out Run | Renegade, Bubble Bobble |
| Adventure Game of the Year | The Guild of Thieves | Knight Orc, Shadows of Mordor |
| Strategy Game of the Year | Vulcan | Defender of the Crown, Annals of Rome |
| Programmer of the Year | Jon Ritman | Andrew Braybrook |
1988
The ceremony took place at Kensington Roof Gardens.
| Award | Winner (8-bit)[8] | Winner (16-bit) | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Game of the Year | Operation Wolf | Speedball | Last Ninja 2, Starglider 2 |
| Console Game of the Year | Thunder Blade (Master System) | R-Type (PC Engine) | |
| Best Graphics of the Year | Armalyte | Rocket Ranger | Last Ninja 2, Starglider 2 |
| Best Soundtrack of the Year | Bionic Commando | International Karate + | RoboCop, Starglider 2 |
| Best Simulation Game of the Year | Microprose Soccer | Falcon | Project Stealth Fighter, F/A-18 Interceptor |
| Adventure Game of the Year | Corruption | Fish! | Ingrid's Back |
| Best Coin-Op Conversion of the Year | Operation Wolf | Operation Wolf | R-Type, Pac-Mania |
| Software House of the Year | Ocean Software | Mirrorsoft | U.S. Gold |
| Programmer of the Year | John Phillips | The Bitmap Brothers | Mev Dink, John Twiddy |
1989
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The ceremony took place at Kensington Roof Gardens, 11 April 1990.[9]
| Award | Winner (8-bit) | Winner (16-bit) |
|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | The Untouchables | Kick Off |
| Best Graphics of the Year | Myth | Shadow of the Beast |
| Best Soundtrack of the Year | Chase H.Q. | Future Wars |
| Best Simulation Game of the Year | Carrier Command | M1 Tank Platoon |
| Best Coin-Op Conversion of the Year | Chase H.Q. | Hard Drivin' |
| PC Leisure Product of the Year | Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure | |
| Most Original Game of the Year | Populous | |
| Software House of the Year | Ocean Software | |
1990
The ceremony took place at Kensington Roof Gardens, 4 April 1991.[10]
| Award | Winner (8-bit) | Winner (16-bit) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Game of the Year | Rick Dangerous 2 | Kick Off 2 |
| Console Game of the Year | Mega Man (Nintendo Entertainment System) | John Madden American Football (Mega Drive) |
| Best Graphics of the Year | Midnight Resistance | Shadow of the Beast 2 |
| Best Soundtrack of the Year | RoboCop 2 | Speedball 2[11] |
| Best Simulation Game of the Year | F19 Stealth Fighter | F19 Stealth Fighter |
| Best Coin-Op Conversion of the Year | Rainbow Islands | Golden Axe |
| PC Game of the Year | Railroad Tycoon | |
| Hardware Manufacturer of the Year | Sega | |
| Software House of the Year | Ocean Software |
1991
The ceremony took place at Hyde Park Hotel, London, on 7 April 1992.[12]
| Award | Winner | Developer |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Game of the Year | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic Team |
| 16-Bit Computer Game of the Year | Heimdall | Core Design |
| Best Coin-Op Conversion | Toki | TAD |
| Best Simulation | Jimmy White's 'Whirlwind' Snooker | Virgin |
| Best Graphics | Heimdall | Core Design |
| Best Soundtrack | The Secret of Monkey Island | U.S. Gold |
| Programmer of the Year | Archer Maclean | |
| Software House of the Year | Electronic Arts |
1992
The ceremony took place at Kensington, London, in May 1993.[13]
| Award | Winner | Platform | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Street Fighter II[14] | Super NES | Capcom |
| Computer Game of the Year | Sensible Soccer | Amiga | Renegade Software |
| Console Game of the Year | Street Fighter II | Super NES | Capcom |
| Handheld Game of the Year | Super Kick Off | Game Gear | U.S. Gold |
| Best Licensed Console Game | Street Fighter II | Super NES | Capcom |
| Best Licensed Computer Game | Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis | PC | LucasArts |
| Best Original Console Game | Sonic the Hedgehog 2[a] | Mega Drive | Sega |
| Best Original Computer Game | Alone in the Dark | PC | Infogrames |
| Best Console Original Action Game | Desert Strike | Mega Drive | Electronic Arts |
| Best Computer Simulation | Formula One Grand Prix | PC | Microprose |
| Promotional Campaign of the Year | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Mega Drive | Sega |
| Programming Team of the Year | LucasArts | ||
| Software House of the Year | Electronic Arts | ||
| Team17 |
1994
The ceremony took place in London, on 16 May 1994.[16][17]
| Award | Winner | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Console Game of the Year | Super Mario All-Stars | Super NES |
| Hand Held Game of the Year | The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening | Game Boy |
| Best Original Computer Game | Cannon Fodder | Amiga |
| Best Computer Simulation | TFX | Amiga |
| Best Advert of the Year | The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening | Game Boy |
| Best Software House | Virgin Interactive | |
| Best Computer Programmer | Sensible Software | |
| Services to the Industry | Acclaim Entertainment |
1996/1997
The ceremony took place at Café de Paris, in November 1997.[18][19]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Super Mario 64 |
| PlayStation Plus Best PlayStation Game | Resident Evil |
| Sega Saturn Magazine Best Saturn Game | Fighters Megamix |
| Nintendo Magazine Best N64 Game | Super Mario 64 |
| CVG Best PC Game | Quake |
| Best Looking Game | Super Mario 64 |
| Best Sounding Game | Wipeout 2097 |
| Most Original Game | Parappa the Rapper |
| Best Ad | Tekken 2 |
| Scoop of the Year | GoldenEye 007 |
| Favourite Game Character | Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) |
| Best Development Team | Rare |
| Best Software House | Sony |
| Best Looking Pages | Sega Saturn Magazine Showcases |
| Best Review Writer | Ed Lomas, CVG |
2002
The 2002 ceremony took place at the Dorchester Hotel on 25 October 2002 and was hosted by Jonathan Ross.[20]
2003
The 2003 ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton on 28 November 2003 and was hosted by Phill Jupitus.[21]
2004
The 2004 ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton on 5 November 2004 and was hosted by Matt Lucas.[22]
2005
The 2005 ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton on 4 November 2005 and was hosted by Jimmy Carr.[23]
2006
The 2006 ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton on 27 October 2006 and was hosted by Emma Griffiths.[24]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ultimate Game of the Year | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) |
| PC Game of the Year | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) |
| PlayStation Game of the Year | Resident Evil 4 (Capcom) |
| Xbox Game of the Year | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) |
| Nintendo Game of the Year | New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo) |
| Online Handheld Game of the Year | Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar Games) |
| Online Game of the Year | Age of Empires III (Ensemble Studios) |
| The All-Nighter Award | Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (Konami) |
| The One to Watch 2007 | PlayStation 3 (Sony) |
| The Editor's Choice Award | Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft) |
| Publisher of the Year | Electronic Arts |
| Retailer of the Year | GAME |
| Soundtrack of the Year | Need for Speed: Carbon (Electronic Arts) |
| Innovation Award | Xbox Live Marketplace (Microsoft) |
| Family Game of the Year | Nintendogs (Nintendo) |
| Favourite Character Award | Lara Croft (Tomb Raider, Eidos) |
| Girls' Choice Award | Nintendogs (Nintendo) |
2007
The 2007 ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton on 26 October 2007 and was hosted by David Mitchell.[25]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Gears of War (Epic Games) |
| Xbox Game of the Year | Gears of War (Epic Games) |
| PC Game of the Year | Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (Midway) |
| PlayStation Game of the Year 2007 | God of War II (Santa Monica Studio) |
| Nintendo Game of the Year | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo) |
| The Editor's Choice Award | Gears of War (Epic Games) |
| Publisher of the Year | Nintendo |
| Retailer of the Year | GAME |
| The One to Watch | Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft) |
| UK Developer of the Year | Codemasters |
| Online Game of the Year | World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (Blizzard Entertainment) |
| All-Nighter | Gears of War (Epic Games) |
| Soundtrack of the Year | Guitar Hero II (Harmonix Music Systems) |
| Innovation of the Year | Nintendo Wii |
| Mobile Game of the Year | Final Fantasy |
| Handheld Game of the Year | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar) |
| Family Game of the Year 2007 | Wii Sports (Nintendo) |
| Girls' Choice Game of the Year 2007 | Guitar Hero II (Harmonix Music Systems) |
2008
The 2008 ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton on 31 October 2008 and was hosted by Frankie Boyle.[26]
2009
The 2009 ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton on 30 October 2009 and was hosted by Sean Lock.[28]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Family Game of the Year | LittleBigPlanet (Sony)[29] |
| Handheld Game of the Year | Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Rockstar Games)[29] |
| Retailer of the Year | GAME[29] |
| Mobile Game of the Year | Metal Gear Solid Touch (Konami)[29] |
| Nintendo Game of the Year | Call of Duty: World at War (Activision)[29] |
| Multiplayer Game of the Year | Call of Duty: World at War (Activision)[29] |
| Soundtrack of the Year | Guitar Hero World Tour (Activision)[29] |
| Xbox Game of the Year | Gears of War 2 (Epic Games)[29] |
| PC Game of the Year | Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks)[29] |
| UK Developer of the Year | Jagex[29] |
| PlayStation Game of the Year | Killzone 2 (Sony)[29] |
| Publisher of the Year | Activision Blizzard[29] |
| Online Game of the Year | Left 4 Dead (Valve)[29] |
| ShortList One to Watch | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision)[29] |
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks)[29] |
2010
The 2010 ceremony took place at the Bridge Park Plaza on 29 October 2010 and was hosted by Rich Hall.[30]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Action/Adventure Game of the Year, in association with Nuts | Assassin's Creed II (Ubisoft)[31] |
| Download Game of the Year, in association with Green Man Gaming | Plants vs. Zombies (PopCap Games)[31] |
| Fighting Game of the Year, in association with Official Nintendo Magazine | Street Fighter IV (Capcom)[31] |
| Music Game of the Year, in association with Total Film | Guitar Hero 5 (Activision)[31] |
| The One to Watch | Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision)[31] |
| Online Game of the Year | League of Legends (Riot Games)[31] |
| Portable Game of the Year | Pokémon HeartGold/Soul Silver (Nintendo)[31] |
| Puzzle Game of the Year | World of Goo (2D Boy)[31] |
| Racing Game of the Year | Forza Motorsport 3 (Microsoft)[31] |
| RPG of the Year | Mass Effect 2 (Electronic Arts)[31] |
| Shooter of the Year, in association with ITN Game On | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision)[31] |
| Soundtrack of the Year, in association with Metal Hammer | Final Fantasy XIII (Square Enix)[31] |
| Sports Game of the Year | FIFA 10 (Electronic Arts)[31] |
| Strategy Game of the Year | Plants vs. Zombies (PopCap Games)[31] |
| UK Developer of the Year | Jagex[31] |
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Mass Effect 2 (Electronic Arts)[32] |
2011
The 2011 ceremony took place at the Bridge Park Plaza on 21 October 2011 and was hosted by Seann Walsh.[33]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Shooter of the Year | Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision)[34] |
| Action/Adventure Game of the Year | Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Ubisoft)[34] |
| Download Game of the Year | Minecraft (Mojang)[34] |
| Fighting Game of the Year | Mortal Kombat (Warner Bros.)[34] |
| Free to Play Game of the Year | League of Legends (Riot Games)[34] |
| Music Game of the Year | Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (Activision)[34] |
| The One to Watch | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Softworks)[34] |
| Online Game of the Year | World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)[34] |
| Mobile Game of the Year | Angry Birds Rio (Rovio Entertainment)[34] |
| Racing Game of the Year | Gran Turismo 5 (Sony)[34] |
| RPG of the Year | Fallout: New Vegas (Obsidian Entertainment)[34] |
| Sports Game of the Year | FIFA 11 (Electronic Arts)[34] |
| Best MMO | World of Warcraft (Blizzard)[34] |
| Strategy Game of the Year | StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (Blizzard)[34] |
| Innovation of the Year | Nintendo 3DS[34] |
| Outstanding Contribution | Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)[34] |
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Portal 2 (Valve)[34] |
2012
The 2012 ceremony took place at the Bridge Park Plaza on 26 October 2012 and was hosted by Ed Byrne.[35]
2013
The 2013 ceremony took place at the indigO2 on 25 October 2013 and was hosted by Ed Byrne.[37]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Newcomer | The Last of Us (Sony)[38] |
| Most Wanted | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Projekt Red)[38] |
| Best Indie Game | Mark of the Ninja (Klei Entertainment)[38] |
| Best Visual Design | BioShock Infinite (2K Games)[38] |
| Best Multiplayer | Payday 2 (Starbreeze Studios)[38] |
| Best Gaming Moment | Far Cry 3: "The Definition of Insanity" (Ubisoft)[38] |
| Studio of the Year | Naughty Dog[38] |
| Innovation of the Year | Oculus Rift[38] |
| Best Storytelling | The Last of Us (Sony)[38] |
| Best Online Game | World of Tanks (Wargaming (company))[38] |
| Best Handheld Game | Assassin's Creed III: Liberation (Ubisoft)[38] |
| YouTube Gamer Award | The Yogscast[38] |
| Best Gaming Platform | Steam[38] |
| Best Mobile/Tablet Game of the Year | XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2K Games)[38] |
| Game of the Year | Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar)[38] |
| Hall of Fame | Call of Duty (Activision)[38] |
| Lifetime Achievement | Ken Levine[38] |
2014
The 2014 ceremony took place at the indigO2 on 24 October 2014 and was hosted by Ed Byrne.[39]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Original Game | DayZ (Bohemia Interactive)[40] |
| Best Online Game | Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)[40] |
| Best Storytelling | The Last of Us: Left Behind (Sony)[40] |
| Best Visual Design | Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft)[40] |
| Best Audio | Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft)[40] |
| Playfire Most Played Game | Rust (Facepunch Studios)[40] |
| Best Multiplayer | Battlefield 4 (Electronic Arts)[40] |
| Best Indie Game | DayZ (Bohemia Interactive)[40] |
| Innovation of the Year | Oculus Rift DK2[40] |
| Best Gaming Moment | The Last of Us: Left Behind - The Kiss (Sony)[40] |
| Handheld Game of the Year | Pokémon X and Y (Nintendo)[40] |
| Best Mobile Game | Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)[40] |
| Most Wanted | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Projekt Red)[40] |
| Gaming Personality | PewDiePie[40] |
| Studio of the Year | Ubisoft Montreal[40] |
| Best Gaming Platform | Steam[40] |
| Lifetime Achievement | Hideo Kojima[41] |
| Game of the Year | Dark Souls II (Bandai Namco Entertainment)[40] |
2015
The 2015 ceremony took place at the indigO2 on 30 October 2015 and was hosted by Danny Wallace.[42]
2016
The 2016 ceremony took place at the indigO2 on 18 November 2016 and was hosted by James Veitch.[44][45]
2017
The 2017 ceremony took place at Bloomsbury Big Top[47] on 17 November 2017 and was hosted by Danny Wallace.[48]
2018
The 2018 ceremony took place at Bloomsbury Big Top on 16 November 2018, and was hosted by Danny Wallace.[49][50]
2019
The 2019 ceremony took place at Bloomsbury Big Top on 16 November 2019.
2020
The 2020 ceremony took place digitally on 24 November 2020 and was hosted by Laura Bailey and Travis Willingham.[52][53]
2021
The 2021 ceremony took place on 23 November 2021 and was hosted by Nolan North and Emily Rose.[55]
2022
The 2022 ceremony took place on 22 November 2022.[57]
| Award | Winner[57] |
|---|---|
| Best Storytelling | Horizon Forbidden West |
| Best Multiplayer Game | Elden Ring |
| Best Visual Design | Elden Ring |
| Best Game Expansion | Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course |
| Best Audio | Metal: Hellsinger |
| Best Indie Game | Cult of the Lamb |
| Best Early Access Launch | Slime Rancher 2 |
| Still Playing Award | Genshin Impact |
| Best Gaming Community | Final Fantasy XIV |
| Studio of the Year | FromSoftware |
| Best Performer | Manon Gage as Marissa Marcel (Immortality) |
| Breakthrough Award | Vampire Survivors |
| PC Game of the Year | Return to Monkey Island |
| Best Gaming Hardware | Steam Deck |
| PlayStation Game of the Year | Stray |
| Xbox Game of the Year | Grounded |
| Nintendo Game of the Year | Pokémon Legends: Arceus |
| Best Game Trailer | Goat Simulator 3 Announcement Trailer |
| Most Wanted Award | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom |
| Critics' Choice Award | Elden Ring |
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Elden Ring |
2023
The 2023 ceremony took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on 10 November 2023, and was hosted by Troy Baker.[58][59]
References
External links
